Egyptian Arab Proverbs

These were given to me by someone who I hold a great deal of respect for, and I thank him for his wonderful energy and wisdom.

First are the Egyptian Arab Proverbs, then will be the American version in itallics.


Repetition teaches (even) a donkey. Practice makes perfect

At the time of a test a person rises or falls. People's real worth is known only through trial.

If you marry a monkey (i.e. somone ugly) for his money, the money will go away and the monkey will stay the same (as ugly as ever).  Do not marry for money.

Being alone is better than being with someone bad. Warning about keeping bad company. 

Being involved in a funeral is better than being involved in marriages. A warning about matchmaking.

In his mother's eye, the monkey is (as beautiful as a gazelle). Comment about mothers' bias to their children.

The believer is not bitten from the same hole twice. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

The unlucky person finds bones in his tripe dinner.  You cannot escape bad luck.

The hand in water is not like the hand in fire. Easier said than done; used to criticize someone removed from the situation at hand who is telling those involved how to deal with it. 

Those who have an injury on their head keep checking it. People who have a weakness show it.

Dressing up a stick turns it into a bride. Clothes make the man.

The son of a goose is a swimmer.  Like father, like son.

Continuing the same state is impossible.  Nothing stays the same.

Seeing someone else's problems makes your own seem smaller.  Considering others' problems will give you perspective. 

The carpenter's door is falling apart. Used to criticize someone who tells other people how to do things but does not apply his own avice to himself.

The clever one spins the donkey's leg. Used to criticize someone who blames their tools for their bad work. 

He who does not have (the money to pay for something) does not need it. If you cannot afford something, think twice about whether you really need it or not. 

After his hair went white, he went school. You cannot teach an old dog new tricks.

Someone without (even) a collar tries to jump up (i.e. to a higher social class).  Used to criticize someone poor trying to reach up too high above his social status. 

Someone free plays the judge. Used to criticize someone with too much free time interfering in other peope's business. 

The bride gets a bridegroom and the rest of us get miserable. The bride and the bridegroom are happy at a wedding, but the guests go home unhappily.

What is written in the brow will inevitably be seen by the eye. One will inevitably meet one's destiny. 

Trusting men is like trusting water in a sieve. No translation, I just like this one a lot!

The beautiful is beautiful (even right after) rising from sleep, and the ugly is ugly (even) if they wash their face every day. You cannot hide beauty or make the ugly beautiful.

One hand does not clap. Cooperation from all sides is necessary to accomplish anything.

Under a sheikh's hat is a monkey. Used to criticize someone who tries to appear good on the outside to cover up their faults, specifically if they try to appear pious.

Stretch your legs as far as your banket extends. Do not live beyond your means.

He who burns his own tongue from soup will blow in his yogurt (to cool it). Once burned, twice shy.

You want what you want and he wants what he wants, but God does what He wants. Man proposes, God disposes.

Someone with their ass exposed likes to criticize. Used in reference to hypocrites.

I say it is a bull, he says milk it. Used to reference one who will not see reason.

The eye does not go higher than the brow.  No one can see above their status in life. 

The miserable person will be miserable, even if you hang a lantern on his head. You cannot escape your luck.

Better a warm welcome than being invited to lunch.  Welcoming people warmly is important.

The imam farted, so those praying behind him shitted. A leader's errors are compounded by his followers. 

One who cooks poison tastes it. What goes around comes around.

Why should one who finds someone to cook for him burn his fingers? Do not do your own dirty work if you can find someone to do it for you.

Eat him for lunch before he eats you for dinner.  Kill him before he kills you; get your blows in first.

The cat only likes its strangler.  People only respond to harsh treatment.

The fan will donate his skullcap. An enthusiast will give away everything for what he loves.

Movement is a blessing. Exercise is good.

A wasp that brought about the destruction of its own nest through its buzzing. He asked for it, it was his own fault.

A loss soon is much better than a victory much later.  It is much better to cut your losses and admit defeat quickly rather than stick it out and eventualy win a victory that cost you a lot. 

A beggar but acting like a rich man.  Used to describe someone who's in no position to be picky but is still acting like he can set the terms of whatever is going on. 

A beggar and he wants a whole loaf. If you are relying on other people's generosity, you should just be grateful for whatever you can get instead of complaining you did not get more.

The bad students' excuse is erasing the blackboard. Used to describe people who are trying to divert attention from their own failings by talking about other things. 

Some people's disasters provide benefits for other people. What is disastrous for some people prove to be advantageous for other people. 

What is coming is better than what is gone. The future is better than the past.

"If" is like trying to hold on onto air. The equivalent of "I wishes were horses."  Something impossible.

The wicked or naughty live longer. Can be used to hint that if you take risks they will pay off. Can also be used in a joking way; for example, if a person was in a minor car accident and was uninjured. 

He got entangled in his own doings. He was hoisted by his own petard -- fell into his own trap.

The believer is afflicted. The righteous always suffer.

The new sieve is taut. A new broom sweeps clean.

Make an effort, and I will make an effort (to help) you. God helps those who help themselves.

It is always the idiots who have (lots of) money.  Used to disparage the rich.

The water gives the lie to the diver. The proof is in the pudding.

It is all the same thing to those who know nothing. Used if someone views different things as if they are all the same.

The eye sees, but the arm is short (cannot reach). Said when someone wishes for something beyond his means. 

A basket has two handles for two people to carry it. Many hands make light work.

Winds do not blow as the ships wish. You cannot always get what you want.

Unattended money teaches thievery.  If you do not keep a close eye on your property, people will steal it from you.

The dog's tail will never straighten out. A leopard does not change its spots.

If your friend is honey, do not lick it all [seriously!]. Do not take advantage of your friends.

When the calf falls, the knives come out.  When people sense that someone is vulnerable, they will attack.

The shroud has no pockets. You cannot take it with you.

Someone who tries to do two things at once is a liar, and someone who tries to do three things at once is a hypocrite. You cannot divide your effort between multiple things and do them well.

There is no dessert without fire (in the baking process). You cannot make an omlet without breaking a few eggs.

You get what you pay for. Expensive things are worth the price for their quality.

If you steal, steal a camel, and if you love, love (someone as beautiful as) the moon. If you are going to do something, go all out.

Its protector is its thief. Used in reference to someone like a police officer or a government official, who should be protecting people, actually committing crimes. 

The bald woman boasts her niece's hair. Used to describe someone who brags about other people's accomplishments or abilities, in particular ailities that person lacks.

(He said) "My mother-in-law is the plague." Someone replied, "divorce her daughter." Used in reference for someone who is complaining about a problem he can solve himself.

Entering a bathroom is not like leaving it.  It is easier to get yourself into a situation than it is to get out of it.

What is (still) hidden is more than what has happened/been revealed so far. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

The person seeking to do good is (as good as) someone who (who) does it. Good intentions count as much as good actions.